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Livy · History of Rome §2.65.1-2.65.7

Capture of the Volscian Camp and Fall of Antium

Passage 126 of 1770 · Latin

Summary

The refreshed Roman army launches an attack, overcomes the disadvantageous terrain to capture the Volscian camp, and pursues the fleeing enemy to eventually force the surrender of Antium.

§2.65.1ubi inluxit, Romanus integer satiatusque somno productus in aciem fessum stando et vigiliis Volscum primo impetu perculit; §2.65.2quamquam cessere magis quam pulsi hostes sunt, quia ab tergo erant clivi, in quos post principia integris ordinibus tutus receptus fuit.
When it was light, the Roman, fresh and satisfied with sleep, led out into the battle-line, overthrew the Volscian, weary with standing and night-watches, at the first onset; although the enemy retreated rather than were driven, because there were hills at their back, into which they had a safe retreat with unbroken ranks behind their vanguard.
consul, ubi ad iniquum locum ventum est, sistit aciem.
The consul, when they came to the unfavorable ground, halted the battle-line.
miles aegre teneri, clamare et poscere, ut perculsis instare liceat.
The soldiers could scarcely be held back, shouting and demanding that they be allowed to press upon the beaten enemy.
§2.65.3ferocius agunt equites; circumfusi duci vociferantur se ante signa ituros.
The cavalry acted even more fiercely; crowding around the commander, they vociferated that they would go before the standards.
dum cunctatur consul virtute militum fretus, loco parum fidens, conclamant se ituros, clamoremque res est secuta.
While the consul hesitated, trusting in the courage of his soldiers but having little confidence in the ground, they shouted that they would go, and action followed the shout.
fixis in terram pilis, quo leviores ardua evaderent, cursu subeunt.
Fixing their spears in the ground, so that they might mount the steep places lighter, they rushed up at a run.
§2.65.4Volscus effusis ad primum impetum missilibus telis saxa obiacentia pedibus ingerit in subeuntes turbatosque ictibus crebris urget ex superior loco.
The Volscians, having discharged all their missile weapons at the first onset, rolled down the stones lying at their feet upon those who were coming up, and urged from the higher ground those who were thrown into confusion by the frequent blows.
sic prope oneratum est sinistrum Romanis cornu, ni referentibus iam gradum consul increpando simul temeritatem simul ignaviam pudore metum excussisset.
Thus the left wing was almost overwhelmed for the Romans, had not the consul, as they were already retreating, by reproaching at once their temerity and their cowardice, shaken off their fear by shame.
§2.65.5restitere primo obstinatis animis; deinde, ut obtinentes locum vires refecerant, audent ultro gradum inferre et clamore renovato commovent aciem; tum rursus impetu capto enituntur atque exsuperant iniquitatem loci.
At first they stood their ground with obstinate minds; then, when, having secured a footing, they had recovered their strength, they dared to advance of their own accord, and, with the shout renewed, they shook the enemy's line; then, having made another charge, they forced their way up and overcame the disadvantage of the place.
iam prope erat, §2.65.6ut in summum clivi iugum evaderent, cum terga hostes dedere effusoque cursu paene agmine uno fugientes sequentesque castris incidere.
Now it was near, that they should emerge onto the highest ridge of the hill, when the enemy turned their backs, and in headlong flight, almost in one body, the fleeing and the pursuing rushed into the camp.
§2.65.7in eo pavore castra capiuntur.
In that panic the camp was captured.
qui Volscorum effugere potuerunt, Antium petunt.
Those of the Volscians who were able to escape fled to Antium.
Antium et Romanus exercitus ductus.
The Roman army was also led to Antium.
paucos circumsessum dies deditur, nulla oppugnantium nova vi, sed quod iam inde ab infelici pugna castrisque amissis ceciderant animi.
Having been besieged for a few days, it surrendered, not by any new force of the besiegers, but because already since that unsuccessful battle and the loss of the camp their spirits had fallen.

Notes

  1. §2.65.2miles aegre teneri, clamare et poscere — The singular noun `miles` is used collectively to mean 'the soldiers,' followed by three historical infinitives (the passive `teneri` and the active `clamare` and `poscere`). This is a typical Livian usage of historical infinitives to add vividness to the narrative.
  2. §2.65.4sic prope oneratum est ... ni ... excussisset — A type of mixed contrary-to-fact conditional sentence. While the protasis (`ni... excussisset`) is in the pluperfect subjunctive, the apodosis (`prope oneratum est`) uses the perfect indicative. This emphasizes the vivid reality that the disaster for the Roman left wing was on the very brink of happening.
  3. §2.65.5ut obtinentes locum vires refecerant — A subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction `ut` (when). The present participle `obtinentes` refers to the Roman soldiers (the subject of the main clause), meaning 'by holding or securing their ground,' indicating how they managed to catch their breath and recover their strength (`vires refecerant`).
  4. §2.65.6iam prope erat, ut ... cum ... — The noun clause of result with `ut` (subjunctive `evaderent`), depending on `iam prope erat` (it was almost near that...), is immediately followed by an inverted `cum` (cum inversum with the perfect indicative `dedere`). This expresses the dramatic shift where, just before reaching the summit, the enemy suddenly turned to flight.
  5. §2.65.7paucos circumsessum dies deditur — The subject is `Antium` (neuter noun) from the preceding sentence. `circumsessum` is the perfect passive participle in the nominative neuter singular, agreeing with `Antium`. `paucos dies` is the accusative of duration of time. The whole phrase means 'Antium, having been besieged for a few days, surrendered (`deditur` is a historical present).'

Cite this passage

Livy, History of Rome §2.65.1-2.65.7. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0914.phi001.humanitext-lat2:2.65.1-2.65.7

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